Plant functional types and traits as biodiversity indicators for tropical forests: two biogeographically separated case studies including birds, mammals and termites

Gillison, Andrew N. and David E. Bignell and Brewer, Kenneth R. W and Fernandes, Erick C. M and Jones, David T and Sheil, Douglas and May, Peter H and Watt, Allan D. and Constantino, Reginaldo and Couto, Eduardo G and Kurniatun Hairiah and Jepson, Paul and Agus P. Kartono and Ibnu Maryanto and Neto, Germano G and Noordwijk, Meine van and Silveira, Elton A and Susilo, Francis-Xavier and Vosti, Stephen A. and Nunes, Paulo C (2013) Plant functional types and traits as biodiversity indicators for tropical forests: two biogeographically separated case studies including birds, mammals and termites. Biodiversity and Conservation, 22 (9). pp. 1909-1930. ISSN 1572-9710

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Abstract

Multi-taxon surveys were conducted in species-rich, lowland palaeotropical and neotropical forested landscapes in Sumatra, Indonesia and Mato Grosso, Brazil. Gradient-directed transects (gradsects) were sampled across a range of forested land use mosaics, using a uniform protocol to simultaneously record vegetation (vascular plant species, plant functional types (PFTs) and vegetation structure), vertebrates (birds, mammals) and invertebrates (termites), in addition to measuring site and soil properties, including carbon stocks. At both sites similar correlations were detected between major components of structure (mean canopy height, woody basal area and litter depth) and the diversities of plant species and PFTs. A plant species to PFT ratio [spp.:PFTs] was the best overall predictor of animal diversity, especially termite species richness in Sumatra. To a notable extent vegetation structure also correlated with animal diversity. These surrogates demonstrate generic links between habitat structural elements, carbon stocks and biodiversity. They may also offer practical low-cost indicators for rapid assessment in tropical forest landscapes.

Item Type:	Article
Keyword:	Biodiversity indicators, Tropical forest, Plant functional types, Habitat characterization, Rapid biodiversity assessment Fauna
Subjects:	S Agriculture > SD Forestry
Depositing User:	SITI AZIZAH BINTI IDRIS -
Date Deposited:	22 Oct 2013 10:26
Last Modified:	31 Oct 2021 22:39
URI:	https://eprints.ums.edu.my/id/eprint/7340

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